Hasty Brook is the loveliest place in my world. It's a little piece of heaven in northern Minnesota.

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Bird in a Bottle

Last weekend at Hasty Brook wasn't all about the fire. It was also one of the birdiest weekends I've ever spent up there. I'll be stretching it out over a few posts because there was such good birding. One of the first birds I heard was the Veery. A friend recently said the Veery sounds like "a bird in a bottle." That's such a perfect description. Have a listen here. Veeries sing up at Hasty all day and well into the evening. I remember the first time I hear a Veery up there a few years ago. I had never heard such a sound in my life and honestly wasn't even sure it was coming from a bird. That first summer I couldn't even get a look at one to identify what I was hearing. That was when I decided to buy a birdJam (hi Jay!). I spent quite a few hours scrolling through the birdsongs trying to find that magical song. Finally, I found it. I identified the Veery by its song! The next spring, armed with my field guide and knowing finally what a Veery looked like, I caught a glimpse of the Veery. For the next few years I looked forward to hearing its lovely song and I saw them a few times but could never catch a photo.

Last Saturday hearing Veeries all around me I pulled out my birdJam to call one in.

In he came! That Veery flew in and I don't think he left my side the whole weekend.

Sitting on the hill watching warblers, there was the Veery.

Down by the creek, watching the water go by, there was the Veery.

Sitting watching the sunset, listening the the Common Loons fly over to the little lake, there was the Veery.

I walked along the creek looking for wildflowers and there the Veery popped up watching me.

Saturday evening after the fire, and after we washed up and had our dinner Art and I found a spot to sit and relax, a spot where we couldn't see the blackened grass and brush and trees.

The air was soft and the light was golden. The Veery flew in and sat in the spruce just a few feet away. And he sang.

I don't think I've ever seen one. Those are great photos and it does look like he is your pet bird. I could use one of those birdJam things. I have audio of a bird that I can't id that came down the hill at dusk every night at the B&B we stayed at in NC. I just can't figure it out. I'll post it soon. It takes a long time going through all the birds on the cornell site.

oh oh Lynne, he had imprinted on you and now you are his newest best friend!! lol..how neat to have him follow you around and your pictures of him are really nice..and you caught him in so many different poses!! So glad you had such a nice experience with the veery to help soften the beginning of your stay! I listened to his sound..pretty cool! I couldn't get the birdjam link to work but it prob is my system!!

I have never seen a Veery or heard a Veery - thank you so much for sharing this wonderful look of your new friend! If I saw him I would think he was some type of thrush. My favorite is that last picture - he is beautiful!

He is a cute little rascal! Am so glad you all got thru the fire without serious damage and a lesson learned. It could have been me,as several weeks ago I started a brush burn and was totally unaware that there was a county wide burning ban,till the neighbors showed up.

Very cute little bird! I went and listened to his song. Very sweet. You see so many neat birds that I've never seen. Lynn, a couple nights ago I received a call, and ran over to the town elevator (long abandoned), and there were 14 Turkey Vulture just circling and sailing around it (it's about 9pm), and driving the pigeons that live there completely crazy. The Turkey Vultures meant no harm, and were just enjoying the fuss they were creating. I'll post photos, so watch for them on my blog in the next few days. (Oh, and the moon was out - very dramatic.

I got Birdjam in May and am still trying to find the most responsible way to use it. I have used it to call birds in the field a couple of times, but feel guilty about it. The Veery pictures are so beautiful and its song is my favourite.